Latecoere, a leading partner of major international aircraft manufacturers and the European leader in satellite wiring, is strengthening its activity in the space industry thanks to three major cooperation projects with Airbus. 

Latecoere designs, industrializes, produces and integrates electrical harnesses for three emblematic European space programs: the Eurostar Neo satellites, for both the Service Modules (SM) (especially the all-electric version) and the Communication Modules (CM); the second generation of European Galileo satellites, which will enable Europe to continue to offer its own satellite navigation system; and the OneSat telecommunication satellites, which will bring major innovations and disruptive technologies.

(OneSat program. Photo credit: Airbus)

Specialized in electrical harnesses, Latecoere’s Interconnection Systems branch concentrates most of its space activities on the Vendargues site (Hérault), a 6,000-square-meter regional and European center of excellence, with one of the largest clean rooms in Europe for a Tier 1 subcontractor. From design to production, Latecoere has already contributed to some 100 space programs in Europe and around the world.

“We are proud and happy to announce this collaboration with Airbus on these three major space programs which are aiming at building the European space future. This is both a recognition of Latecoere’s expertise, and a tremendous opportunity to develop our space business and further anchor Latecoere in France. Our Vendargues site is a center of excellence, a showcase for our expertise in this field. We continue our mission to serve the aerospace industry with innovative solutions for a sustainable world.” said Thierry Mootz, CEO of Latecoere.

“We are delighted to be able to count on Latecoere as an industrial partner for our future platforms. Airbus’ investment strategy, notably with OneSat, which aims to develop fully reconfigurable satellites with major disruptive innovations, is creating new industrial challenges in this market segment. We will rely on the industrial maturity of our suppliers, and notably that demonstrated by Latecoere in recent years, to support us and make these developments a success.” said Annika Mulder, Vice President, Aerostructure Procurement, Materials, IT and Services for Airbus Defence and Space.

The various programs will be delivered from 2022 to 2026, and include several dozen satellites, mostly OneSat.

(Vendargues site in France is specialized in space activities. Photo credit: Latecoere)